Method and apparatus for remote filing and recordation of documents

ABSTRACT

A document filing method and system is disclosed in which is utilized a user interface display connected to a server in a electronic communication with at least one remote compute engine having URL capability, the server being adapted to receive and display an electronic copy of a document being submitted from a remote location for filing with the user of the server. An electronic stamping apparatus is also used, which is adapted to impart an electronic stamp on the submitted document responsive to a user input through the user interface; authenticating the filer using an electronic signature and/or digital certificate that is issued after establishing the chain of trust. The filer can also be authenticated if he files the document using a fax machine by an intelligent barcode that uniquely identifies the identity of filer using an alphanumeric serial number or identity number. An authentication server is used with the ability to create digital certificate that is issued after establishing the chain of trust and/or prints an intelligent barcode that uniquely identifies the identity of filer using an alphanumeric serial number or identity number. An archival storage server with the ability to store electronically stamped documents and digital certificate. A fax machine with the ability to fax documents to fax server and the fax server with ability to generate intelligent barcode and read intelligent barcode and generate documents in electronic format that are faxed from fax machine and generate data similar to electronic data envelope after reading the intelligent barcode. The electronic stamping apparatus can also authenticate the accepting or denying agent representing the responsible agency using an electronic signature and/or digital certificate that is issued after establishing the chain of trust. A database in electronic communication with the server and the user interface is adapted to store the document after the electronic stamp is imparted to the document; and an electronic communication device is adapted to transmit an electronic copy of the document having the electronic stamp imparted to the electronic copy of the document, to the submitter of the document for filing. The receiver can securely verify by connecting to the archived document repository that the document received is a true copy of the original document stored in the archived document repository. The system can provide for an electronic fee payment mechanism adapted to charge the submitter of the document a fee for the acceptance of the filing of the document. A security mechanism includes limiting the software for imparting the electronic stamp to the electronic copy of the document being filed to running on the server only, without upload to any other compute engine, and limiting access to the server to at least one authorized user uniquely identified to the server prior to the use of the electronic stamp. Authenticity of the electronic stamp can be assured by storing the document in a form that prevents further modification and/or with access limited to purposes other than making any further changes to the image constituting the stored form of the document. Authenticity of the filer can be assured by using electronic signature and/or digital certificate that is issued after establishing the chain of trust and/or intelligent barcode that uniquely identifies the identity of filer using an alphanumeric serial number or identity number for the filer and storing the document along with digital certificate that is issued after establishing the chain of trust and/or intelligent barcode that uniquely identifies the identity of filer using an alphanumeric serial number or identity number for the filer, in a form that prevents further modification and/or with access limited to purposes other than making any further changes to the image constituting the stored form of the document. In addition, the document may be transmitted to the submitter of the document for filing in such a non-modifiable form. An agency in need of verifying the authenticity of a printed document to receive an official copy of the document that will be automatically faxed back from the authenticating agency. The verifying agency will fax three barcodes to the authenticating fax server. First barcode will be the barcode printed on the document that the agency wants to validate. Second barcode uniquely identifies the agent or agency requesting the validation. Third barcode outlines the fax number of the agency where the fax server will automatically fax the validated document.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electronic commerce has created the potential for convertingconventional buying into a web-based electronic buying process. Thecashier's counter has been changed into an electronic shopping cart andelectronic payment system. However, there are situations where thepayment is for other than goods, e.g., for the filing, recordationpermitting, registration or the like of certain types of documents. Insuch cases, the cashier's counter serves more than simply to linkpayment to the contents of a virtual shopping cart. The content of thedocuments involved may have an impact on the completion of thetransaction in a certain fashion, e.g., local; state and federal lawsand/or rules associated with the proper completion of the document.These transactions also require a means of authenticating the filer'sidentity as well as authenticating the person who is accepting ordenying the application on behalf of agency responsible for accepting ordenying the application.

In addition, certain transactions requiring privacy and accountabilityrelated to healthcare and financial information require recordationusing stamps as well as informing both parties and authenticating eachparty.

Also transactions requiring transfer of confidential and governmentauthorized documents from a government agency requiring seal of thecity, county, state or federal official along with the signature of theofficial to another department that needs to verify the authenticity ofdocument as well as sender.

There exists a need to accomplish this type of transactionelectronically utilizing Web-based remote access technologies or a faxmachine and to record, permanently memorialize, and communicate theresults of the prospective transaction, i.e., was it completed orunsuccessful.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A document filing method and system is disclosed in which is utilized auser interface display connected to a server is electronic communicationwith at least one remote compute engine having URL capability, theserver being adapted to receive and display an electronic copy of adocument being submitted from a remote location for filing with the userof the server; an electronic means of authenticating the filer by meansof electronic signature and/or a digital certificate that is issuedafter establishing the chain of trust and/or intelligent barcode thatuniquely identifies the identity of filer using an alphanumeric serialnumber or identity number for the filer that uniquely identifies thefiler. An electronic stamping apparatus is used, which is adapted toimpart an electronic stamp on the submitted document responsive to auser input through the user interface; that may incorporate anelectronic signature and/or a digital certificate that is issued afterestablishing the chain of trust and/or intelligent barcode that uniquelyidentifies the identity of the accepting or denying agent representingthe agency; a database in electronic communication with the server andthe user interface is adapted to store the document along with digitalcertificate that is issued after establishing the chain of trust afterthe electronic stamp is imparted to the document and an electroniccommunication device is adapted to transmit an electronic copy of thedocument to the submitter of document, having the electronic stampimparted to the electronic copy of the document as well as the digitalcertificate that is issued after establishing the chain of trust and/orintelligent barcode that uniquely identifies the identity of agent usingan alphanumeric serial number or identity number for the agentauthenticating the agent accepting or denying the application on behalfof the responsible agency. The electronic stamp can indicate that thedocument is accepted or rejected. The system can provide for anelectronic fee payment mechanism adapted to charge the submitter of thedocument a fee for the acceptance of the filing of the document. Asecurity mechanism includes limiting the software for imparting theelectronic stamp to the electronic copy of the document being filed torunning on the server only, without upload to any other computer engine,and limiting access to the server to at least one authorized useruniquely identified to the server prior to use of the electronic stamp.Authenticity of the electronic stamp can be assured and/or with accesslimited to purposes other than making any further changes to the imageconstituting the stored form of the document. In addition, authenticityof the person accepting the document on behalf of an agency is uniquelyidentified using a digital certificate that is issued after establishingthe chain of trust and/or intelligent barcode that uniquely identifiesthe identity of agent using an alphanumeric serial number or identitynumber for the agent that is encrypted using 128 bit or 256 bit or othermeans available. In addition, the document maybe transmitted to thesubmitter of the document in such a non-modified form.

In those transactions related to Personal Health information as well asAdvanced Health Care Directive or living will creating an archivebearing a date and time stamp for every document exchanged along with acomplete transaction record describing the parties involved, date andtime of transaction record describing the parties involved, date andtime of transaction and authenticating signature and of each party isoutlined. The intelligent barcode printed on the document allows anagency in need of verifying the authenticity of patient and notary usinga digital certificate that is issued after establishing the chain oftrust and/or intelligent barcode that uniquely identifies the identityof agent using an alphanumeric serial number or identity number for theagent that is encrypted using 128 bit or 256 bit or other means, toreceive an official copy of the document that will be automaticallyfaxed back from the authenticating agency or agency responsible forarchiving these documents along with digital certificate. Also forfinancial records requiring archival, a date and time stamp for everydocument exchanged along with a complete transaction record describingthe parties involved, date and time of transaction and authenticatingsignature and/or using a digital certificate that is issued afterestablishing the chain of trust and/or intelligent barcode that uniquelyidentifies the identity of agent using an alphanumeric serial number oridentity number for the agent that is encrypted using 128 bit or 256 bitor other means available is outlined.

Transactions related to certified and sealed documents that authenticatethe sender and receiver along with a digital certificate that is issuedafter establishing the chain of trust and/or intelligent barcode thatuniquely identifies the identity of agent using an alphanumeric serialnumber or identity number for the agent that is encrypted using 128 bitor 256 bit or other means that authenticates the sender and a date andtime stamp and a unique identifier such as recording number of batesnumber or transaction number along with a secured means for receiver toverify visually that the document is a true copy of the originaldocument archived by the agency.

In addition, the intelligent barcode printed on the document will allowan agency in need of verifying the authenticity of the document toreceive an official copy of the document that will be automaticallyfaxed back from the authenticating agency.

After the electronic stamping, documents should inform the sender as toacceptance or rejection of the document using an electronic returnreceipt. The electronic stamp is also made permanent so that it cannotbe altered and an imprint of a facsimile signature or a look-alikesignature or an electronic signature generated by a device such as a penpad and/or a digital certificate that is issued after establishing thechain of trust and/or intelligent barcode that uniquely identifies theidentity of agent using an alphanumeric serial number or identity numberfor the agent may be added to the document. The electronic stampingapplication replaces the existing court counter or the agency counterwith an electronic counter and constantly communicates with the serverto inform the court clerk or other official of the number of peoplewaiting in line to have a filing entered into the system. This alsopushes the information collected by the apparatus from the filer to thecase management system or other application that may be used by thecourt or the agency receiving the filing.

One of the limitations associated with a document that accompanies adigital certificate that is issued after establishing the chain of trustand/or intelligent barcode that uniquely identifies the identity offiler using an alphanumeric serial number or identity number for thefiler is the inability to verify the signature once the document isprinted. A method is outlined to achieve this using the intelligentbarcode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system according to the present inventiondescribing the exchange of Personal health Information.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system according to the present inventiondescribing the exchange of Financial Information related to anytransaction involving Public Corporation.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system according to the present inventiondescribing the exchange of certified and sealed documents related to anytransaction involving legal documents.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a Web-browser screen or networked connectedscreen user interface according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of another user interface according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of another user interface according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of another user interface display according tothe present invention.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of another user interface display according tothe present invention.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of another user interface display accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of another user interface display accordingto the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of the intelligent barcode along with theblock diagram of a system according to the present invention describinghow an agency in need of verifying the authenticity of a printeddocument to receive an official copy of the document that will beautomatically faxed back from the authenticating agency.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention enables persons wishing to make a filing of adocument, e.g., with a governmental agency, e.g., an attorney filing apleading with a court, to electronically file the document as if thefiling were done in person, e.g., by an attorney courier service, as iscommonly done today and/or an exchange of document between agencies e.g.a temporary restraining order exchanged between sheriff and court clerk,and/or a patient record exchanged between physician and/or patientand/or pharmacy and/or laboratory etc. and/or a living will or AdvancedHealth Care Directive exchanged between a patient and a notary and/orattorney and/or physician, and/or financial or legal record exchangedbetween officers of a corporation and/or financial institution etcand/or a transcript or other documents related to an educationalinstitution.

Documents so filed, according to the present invention may be filedelectronically from any site in the world having a computer engine withURL capability in an agency location, e.g., a courthouse or a clinic orfinancial institution or an educational institute having a serverrunning a Web-page, or having a link to a server running a Web-page,according to the present invention or a fax server that can read theintelligent barcode.

The present invention can be owned and operated directly by the agencyin question, e.g., by the office of the clerk of a court, physician'soffice, financial institution or educational institute or provided tothe agency as an out-sourced service, either maintained locally at thespecific agency site or otherwise within the agency, or remotely at theprovider's site. The present invention can interface with both theagency's computer processing and database management systems and throughthe web-page at the agency with users of the agencies services and/orapplicants to register with or record information contained indocumentation with the agency. This could include, e.g., attorneys,patients and clients of financial institution or educational institutewho use the service via Web sites on the Internet or the fax machine forfiling documents through the Web page of the agency or the fax machineof the agency. The present invention creates a communications linkbetween the remote user and the agency.

The system of the present invention can be installed at locations of theagency where filings are normally accepted and acknowledged in somepaper fashion, and its utilization may be paid for by a portion of thefees charged for making the filing or recordation of registrationselectronically by use of the system. Users of the system can be charged,e.g., through a usage charge that is electronically billed to the user'sauthorized credit card(s) or checking account, as is commonly done inthe art of electronic commerce. Public access can be allowed accordingto the present invention in read-only mode for reviewing electronicversions of documents that have been submitted to the respective agencyfor filing utilizing the present invention, again via the Web, and forthe charge of an appropriate fee. FIG. 1 there is shown a schematicblock diagram of a system 10 according to the present invention.

Turning now to FIG. 1, there is shown a schematic block diagram of asystem 10 according to the present invention. The system 10 employs atleast one server 12 which is connected to a user interface terminal 14and is also connected to a network, which can be an intranet within thegovernmental agency in question or within the particular facility of thegovernment agency, an Internet, e.g., the Worldwide Web (“www.”), or anextranet, combining the two, or any other network communications system,e.g., a LAN or WAN which is adapted for communicating between UniformResource Locator (“URL”) sites, including also, at least in part, thePublic Switched Telephone Network (“PSTN”), wired and/or wireless,herein simply referred to, unless specifically delineated separately, asa network of the Web. It will be understood that the server 12 could bea part of the information technology system of the agency, and locatedat the specific agency site where document filing is required, orremotely within the agency, or can be at the provider's site remote fromany agency site, and linked to the specific agency site where documentfiling is required over the Web.

At least one server 12 acts as a librarian for the system 10 as well asa gateway for the system 10. The server can act as a librarian of thesystem by allowing access to the system only to authorized users inrespective different modes, e.g., submission, review, authenticate usinga digital certificate that is issued after establishing the chain oftrust and/or intelligent barcode that uniquely identifies the identityof filer using an alphanumeric serial number or identity number for thefiler 40 and approval, and file access, as will be more specificallydescribed below. The server 12 can be setup to allow access to itsassociated databases 18 or linked databases (not shown) only toauthorize individuals from a particular agency or more limited to only aparticular facility for the agency or even a specific office within thespecific facility, e.g., the office of the clerk of the court for aparticular courthouse facility. It could allow all authorized users toaccess its database(s) 18 for a single court or multiple courts. Itcould also allow a scope of access for one mode, e.g., read only that isbroader in scope that access for read/write for purposes of review andacceptance of the document being submitted for filing. The server 12 canalso maintain the related files for the particular agency, e.g., theactive case file, which contains document in the files of the variouscases pending before the court. The present invention can also act as agateway system through which remote users, e.g., attorneys, interface tothe system of the present invention, and, therefore, also with theparticular agency, e.g., court. The present invention can make use of asecure Web-site on the Web, maintained, e.g., by the server 12 which isitself made secure as is well known in the art. The system 10 can alsoprovide, e.g., that all information passed between remote users, e.g.,attorneys, and the government agency, e.g., the court system, isencrypted. The server 12 alse stores the necessary data as well as thedocument(s) submitted by the sender.

The present invention can also provide for a level of security bylimiting access to the system 10 for the different modes of operation toregistered users and other authorized individuals. Remote users, e.g.,an attorney desirous of filing a document with the court must haveregistered with the government agency as someone who from time to timewill submit papers for filing. The registration can be directly throughthe respective government agency, e.g., through a Web site for theagency/agency facility in question, i.e., directly through the server 12in question, or through a Web site run by the provider of the presentinvention to the agency, where the server 12 could be located. Theregistered remote user could be required to provide a profile, whichwould be utilized to authorize certain types of access to the server 12.The server 12, according to the present invention can maintain suchprofiles (account records) of all remote users, e.g., registeredattorneys. In use of the present system, a document can be remotely sentto the Web-page supported at the government facility or at the providerby the server 12, along with a set of identification (ID) information,which can reflect information previously provided as part of the userprofile, including, e.g., electronic billing information. This can bedone, e.g., through the remote user's PC 20. The serve 12 can be adaptedto respond to the receipt of such a document by imparting an electronicdate stamp to the document, automatically upon such submission with avalid set of profile information, including a valid electronic chargingmethod, e.g., the identification of the remote user's credit card orcharge account with the agency. In so doing, the server 12 can provide atime/date stamp recorded on the electronic copy of the document that theserver 12 then proceeds to store in the associated database 18. Thedocument may then be held as an image, e.g., a .pdf image or a TIFFimage file, or the like, within, a database of such image of documentsmaintained by the server 12. The document may be searchable by a fulltext search engine running on the server 12 at the agency or at the Website of the provider or the present invention to the agency. Searchauthorization may be limited to registered users. The server 12,according to the present invention may maintain a communications linkwith an established credit card clearinghouse through which it mayrequest and received authorization and payment for associated chargesand fees paid by, e.g., the attorney for the filing or other processingof the document by the agency. Such electronic payment transactions arecommonly used in electronic commerce today. In addition, as is wellknown today, the server 12, according to the present invention may beprotected behind a firewall system that checks for incoming computerviruses, and further assures that unauthorized users cannot access thesystem 10 of the present invention.

Registered users, e.g., attorneys may utilize the system of the presentinvention either directly and wholly electronically or indirectly andpartly electronically. Each attorney must register with either theagency in question or the provider of the present system to the agency,or both, e.g., by completing an Attorney Profile form. Registrationcould be done, e.g., via the Internet or, in a more traditional manner,by filling out a form and faxing or mailing it to the agency/and/orprovider. The information in the Attorney Profile may include, e.g., theuser name, and contact information including E-mail (if available). Alsothe user can be required to include at least one credit card orcheck/charge account authorization that will be used to cover theassociated fees, e.g., court filing fees and associated system usecharges. A particular identifying portion of the profile, e.g., anattorney's Bar Number can be used as a unique identifier of theparticular remote user, The remote user, e.g., an attorney may also begiven or may choose a unique login identification issued afterestablishing the chain of trust and/or intelligent barcode that uniquelyidentifies the identity of filer using an alphanumeric serial number oridentity number for the filer which, along with the unique identifier,authenticates permissible access to the system 10 of the presentinvention. If the attorney is submitting his/her documents via theInternet, the attorney can have the ability to make such actualsubmissions paperless because documents being so filed never have to becommitted to paper.

As an example, a remote user, e.g., an attorney can create a motion orpetition to the court in his/her office using the remote PC 20. Thedocument can be prepared using any word-processing software currentlyavailable, e.g., for Windows 3.x or Windows 96 or Windows NT or Windows98 or Windows XP. Such a document is hereinafter referred to as the“document envelope” and can include other documents such as Excel, pdf,etc. files, created by using multiple applications at the remote PC 20.Attorneys using other operating systems such as Macintosh can alsocreate a document envelope using different applications. The remoteuser, e.g., the attorney, once the document is completed and still onthe remote computer system 20, could locally print out any page or pagesthat need a signature. The signed pages could then be rescanned backinto the electronic copy of the particular document or could be attachedto the unsigned electronic copy of the document. Alternatively, theelectronic copy of the document could be electronically signed,utilizing, e.g., a “Signature Pen Pad,” supplied by Microsoft, or likeelectronic signature device available on the market or by attaching adigital certificate that is issued after establishing the chain of trustand/or intelligent barcode that uniquely identifies the identity offiler using an alphanumeric serial number or identity number for thefiler authenticating the filer and other attesting authority, e.g.,notary public. Additional required signatures, including, e.g., clientsor other individuals whose signatures must appear on selected documents,can be captured in the same manner.

In FIG. 2, there is shown a schematic block diagram of a system 10according to the present invention that outlines the authenticationprocess using remote server 66 for the sender and receiver before theycan send or receive the electronic filing and electronic stamp thatconfirms the date and the time when the documents was sent by the filerand remote server 68 where date and time stamped encrypted documentsalong with digital certificate that is issued after establishing thechain of trust and/or intelligent barcode that uniquely identifies theidentity of filer using an alphanumeric serial number or identity numberfor the filers are archived for permanent long term storage.

In FIG. 3, there is shown a schematic block diagram of a system 10according to the present invention that outlines usage of a uniqueidentifier that is used to generate an intelligent bar code that whenaccompanies a faxed document from remote fax 70 to be processed by thesystem as an electronically filed document and electronic stamp thatconfirms the date and the time when the document was sent by the filerand remote server 68 where date and time stamped encrypted documentsalong with digital certificate that is issued after establishing thechain of trust and/or intelligent barcode that uniquely identifies theidentity of filer using an alphanumeric serial number or identity numberfor the filers are archived for permanent long term storage.

In FIG. 4, there is shown a schematic block diagram of a system 10according to the present invention that allows electronic transfer ofsealed or certified documents by authenticating the digital certificatethat is issued after establishing the chain of trust and/or intelligentbarcode that uniquely identifies the identity of filer using analphanumeric serial number or identity number for the filer of theofficer of the sender organization originating from PC 72 and electronicstamp that confirms the date and the time when the document was sent bythe filer, also providing a secure way for receiving entity to connectto archival document storage server 68 and verifying that the receiveddocument is a true copy of the original document. The verificationprocess can also be accomplished by . . .

When the remote user, e.g., the attorney, or someone from his or herstaff, is ready to send the document to the agency, e.g., the court,he/she can log onto the remote server using either a Web-site maintainedby the server 12 or using Network connection to a similar screen at theagency or at the provider of the present invention to the agency, whichcould also be served by a separate provider's server 22, in either casevia the Web. The remote user will be presented on his/her screen 24 apage similar to the Web-browser page 30 shown in FIG. 5, with theexception that an options button pull-down menu 32 will not have thefunction selections that the agency user would have, e.g., “accept” and“reject”. From the Web-page 30 displayed at the remoter user's PC 20,the remote user will be able to select from a plurality of agencylocations, e.g., courthouses equipped with the present invention andselect., e.g., the state and county of the court to which the case isassigned, or to which it is desired to initially file. Next the user canprepare the filing identification (ID) page information. The ID pageinformation 34 includes the case number, if this is not the initialfiling of a complaint, the party filing the motion or like document, theattorney's name and the bar number, the plaintiffs' name, thedefendant's name and other required information, hereinafter referred toas the date envelope. If the filing is to be a new case, the case numberis left blank. The remote user, e.g., the attorney can identify thenature of the document being submitted, e.g., a motion by selecting fromthe various menu options provided in, e.g., a pull-down menu 36. Therequired filing fees and authorization to charge the remote user for thefee can be indicated, e.g., as shown at 38 in FIG. 5. All of this inputfrom the remote user can be made through the use of the input promptscreen inserts, such as the insert 50 shown in FIG. 6. The remote usermay be given the option of the selecting same day processing or next dayprocessing. Utilizing the remote user client application, running, e.g.,on the law firm's PC 20, the remote user can select the file to be sent,attach scanned exhibits and/or signature pages or the like, and initiatethe electronic transfer process. A click of the mouse button and thedocuments are on their way. If indirect filing through a provider isdone, then an operator at the provider can similarly submit documentssent to and stored at the provider server 22, or perhaps be given accessto the customer's PC files in order to upload the appropriate documentfile(s) for filing with the agency.

When the ID page information is complete, and the document is submitted,e.g., for filing, the server 12 or the server 22 can obtainauthorization for the charges and filing fees. Then, if the filing ismade indirectly through the provider server 22, a tracking or ID numbermay be assigned to the document prior to the filing of the document. Theserver 12 or the server 22 can notify the remote user, e.g., theattorney that it has successfully received the filed document orsuccessfully submitted the document to the agency's server for filing.The time and date is recorded in the agency database 18 and/or aprovider database 26. Once received by the server 18, 22, the documentis maintained as an image, e.g., a .pdf image or a TIFF image. Theserver 12, 18 also may receive a separate back-up text file of the textcontent of the word processing application file.

The server 12, 22 may be set up to prompt an agency authorized user tothe fact that a document has been received for electronic filing. Whenthe authorized agency representative, e.g., the clerk of the court or anauthorized individual from the office of the clerk, is ready theauthorized individual can log into the server 12, 18 to review anydocuments submitted electronically, e.g., by remote user attorneys.Access to log on to the server 12, 22 may be limited to a specificindividual(s) uniquely identified to the server by a unique identifier,e.g., an employee badge number and, e.g., a PIN or password. He/she willfirst see an ID page 60 as shown in FIG. 7. This Web-browser pagecontains the ID page information data blocks 62 as shown in FIG. 7, andas completed by the remote user attorney(s) since the last log-insession by the authorized agency user. He/she can review the informationcontained on each ID page information block locations 62 for each newlysubmitted document, and, if necessary, also call up the document 64 forreview. The authorized agency user, e.g., the court clerk, then may doone of several three things related to the document, following thisreview. The clerk may accept the document as filed, modify someportion(s) of the ID page information and then accept the document, orreject the document because of error(s) in the filing.

If the document is accepted, the server 12, 22 interfaces with theagency database 18 and/or the provider database 26 to, e.g., in the caseof a court, update the court's cases management system by entering anevent of the filing of the document into the court docket for the caseto which the filing was submitted; post to the court's general ledgerany filing fees authorized for payment by the submission; alert therespective courtroom of the event or the filing relevant to one of itscases; make a Time/Date log entry in the database 18, 26 recording theevent of the filing; print one or more hard copies of the document fortraditional filing (if appropriate and necessary); change the status ofthe document, i.e., from simply submitted to filed; and, contact thecredit car clearinghouse requesting payment of the previously authorizedcharge. In the case where the filing was indirectly done through theprovider, the provider's server 22 can be contacted to update thedatabase 26 associated with the provider's server 22 in like manner. Ifthe authorized agency person, e.g., the court clerk, rejects thedocument for filing, the authorized agency person can generate afree-form text message stating the reason for rejection. In the formerevent, the authorized agency person can impart to the document beingstored in the database an electronic filed stamp, as for example isshown in FIG. 8 and electronic stamp that confirms the date and the timewhen the document was sent by the filer. The electronic “Filed” stamp ispermanently imparted to the document 64 within the database, theelectronic filed stamp may accompany a digital certificate that isissued after establishing the chain of trust and/or intelligent barcodethat uniquely identifies the identity of filer using an alphanumericserial number or identity number for the filer authenticating theidentity of accepting or rejecting authority 42 and once the electronic“Filed” stamp is so imparted the document 64 can be made inaccessible byanyone including the authorized agency individual, except in read-onlymode, in order to preserve the integrity of the filing process in thelight of utilizing electronic stamping, as explained herein. Similarlythe document can be marked with an electronic “Rejected” stamp (notshown) if appropriate.

The remote user, e.g., the attorney, can be automatically notified,e.g., by E-mail, electronic return receipt, that the document wasaccepted for filing or rejected. When the attorney next reviews his/herdocument status screen and sees the rejection, he/she can immediatelycorrect and resubmit it. Payment of filing fees and associated systemtransaction charges can be electronically transferred (EFT) from thecredit card clearinghouse directly into the agency bank account, or intoa provider bank account. In the latter event, the funds due the courtcan then electronically be transferred from the provider account to theagency account. The system can provide to agency personnel responsiblefor reconciliation of the agency's bank records with statements of thefees and charges, or these can be provided from the server 22 associatedwith the provider's database 26. This information is available forprinting to hard copy. With the system 10 of the present invention,remote users, e.g., attorneys can call up the file documents in thedatabase 18.26 to review the file, rather than keeping unnecessary papercopies in the attorney's file, rather than keeping unnecessary papercopies in the attorney's files. Additionally, such requests can be madeto review any public record documents in the electronic files of theagency, e.g., the court. Just as documents can be labeled read-onlyafter a filing stamp has been imparted to the document, so too, certaindocuments, e.g., those filed in confidence with the agency, e.g., filedunder seal with a court, may be marked to deny even read-only access tomembers of the public not authorized to view the documents in thecourt's records.

The present invention can also provide for certain types of automatedmanagement reports for use by the agency and/or remote user customers,e.g., in reconciling documents and fees. In addition, the system alsoprovides a document/image vault to store and allow for searching of thefiles, using e.g., text as well as key work abstract/field searches. Allmanagement reports can be made available, e.g., through on-screenformats displayed, e.g., on the agency computer 14 or the remote user'scomputer 20. These may also be printed to hard copy. These managementreports could include lists of, e.g., all documents submitted that havealready been reviewed by the court; all documents submitted that havealready been reviewed by the court; all documents filed within a case bysorting by case number, along with, perhaps a date range, etc.,statistical information, which can be collected relating to quantity andtype of filings into the court, etc.; including, e.g., fees collectedand paid to the court. The system 10 according to the present inventioncan also be utilized with other equipment and systems, e.g., scanning ofdocuments received on paper over the Clerk of the court's traditionalcounter can be combined with the present invention to keep al of thecourt's file records electronically; providing for secured remote accessfor judges to view the electronic files, e.g., from home or on the road;providing for full text search capabilities for documents and casesummary files; providing the ability for attorneys to link supportinginformation with his/her document using hypertext into other documents,web-sites and the like; providing attorneys with the ability toelectronically record system transaction charges and court filing feesto their practice management system or into a spreadsheet format, andproviding electronic or digital signature capability. Anotherutilization of the present system could be for the filing of a documentwhich requires agency action and after which the document acquires adifferent status, e.g., an order originally simply tiled with the courtas a proposed order becomes an order of the court, when and if signed bythe court. If the remote user, e.g., the attorney files an orderutilizing the system of the present invention, and has prepared theorder for the judge's signature, that order may be reviewed and modifiedand the judge is enabled to electronically sign the order or itsmodified version. After this the order can be reentered into theelectronic document system with its changed status as an outstandingorder of the court. The courtroom clerk also can attach the requiredCertificate of Mailing, and the now automatically time/date stampedorder can be electronically returned to the attorney. The court docketcan be automatically updated to show the signed order as an event. Alsoafter a case has been finalized and considered closed, the court canestablish a procedure, utilizing the present invention to archive thecase. Archived cases may be moved onto other electronic media (Optical,CD-ROM, DVD) and such media can be maintained by the agency or by theprovider. Enclosed is a copy of the source code for the implementationof the above disclosed invention, incorporated herein by reference.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of another user interface according to thepresent invention displaying the screen; the remote user will bepresented on his/her screen 74 a page similar to the Web-browser screen30 shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 10 is an illustration of another user interface according to thepresent invention displaying the screen; the remote user will bepresented. All of this input from the remote user can be made throughthe use of input prompt screen inserts, such as the insert shown inscreen 76 on FIG. 10, similar to the Web-browser Screen 50 shown in FIG.11 is an illustration of another user interface according to the presentinvention displaying the authorized agency person imparting to thedocument being stored in the database an electronic filed stamp, as forexample is shown in screen 70 on FIG. 11, a stamp similar to that shownin FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is an illustration of another user interface according to thepresent invention displaying the authorized agency person imparting tothe document being stored in the database an electronic filed stamp, asfor example is shown in screen 78 on FIG. 11, a stamp similar to thatshown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of the intelligent barcode along with theblock diagram of a system according to present invention describing howan agency in need of verifying the authenticity of a printed document toreceive an official copy of the document that will be automaticallyfaxed back from the authenticating agency. The verifying agency will faxthree barcodes to the authenticating fax server. First barcode will bethe barcode printed on the document that the agency wants to validate.Second barcode uniquely identifies the: agency requesting thevalidation. Third barcode outlines the fax number of the agency wherethe fax server will automatically fax the validated document.

1. A document filing system comprising: a user interface displayconnected to a server in electronic communication with at least oneremote compute engine having URL capability, the server being adapted toreceive and display an electronic copy of a document being submittedfrom a remote location for filing with the user of the server; anelectronic stamping apparatus that incorporates an electronic signatureand a digital certificate that is issued after establishing the chain oftrust and/or intelligent barcode that uniquely identifies the identityof filer using an alphanumeric serial number or identity number for thefiler that uniquely identifies the filer; an electronic stampingapparatus adapted to impart an electronic stamp on the submitteddocument responsive to a user input through the user interface; anelectronic stamping apparatus that incorporates an electronic signatureand a digital certificate that is issued after establishing the chain oftrust and/or intelligent barcode that uniquely identifies the identityof filer using an alphanumeric serial number or identity number for thefiler that uniquely identifies the accepting or denying agentrepresenting the responsible party; a database in electroniccommunication with the server and the user interface and adapted tostore the document after the electronic stamp is imparted to thedocument; and an electronic communication device adapted to transmit anelectronic copy of the document having the electronic stamp imparted tothe electronic copy of the document to the submitter of the document forfiling. An authentication server in electronic communication with theserver and the user interface with the ability to create digitalcertificate that is issued after establishing the chain of trust and/orintelligent barcode that uniquely identifies the identity of filer usingan alphanumeric serial number or identity number for the filers. Anarchival storage server in electronic communication with the server andthe user interface with the ability to store electronically stampeddocuments and digital certificate that is issued after establishing thechain of trust and/or intelligent barcode that uniquely identifies theidentity of filer using an alphanumeric serial number or identity numberfor the filer data. A fax machine is electronic communication with theserver and the user interface with the ability to fax documents to faxserver and the fax server with ability to generate intelligent barcodeand read intelligent barcode and generate documents in electronic formatthat are faxed from fax machine and generate data similar to electronicdata envelope after reading the intelligent barcode.
 2. The system ofclaim 1 further comprising: The electronic stamp indicating that thedocument is accepted.
 3. The system of claim 1 further comprising: Theelectronic stamp indicating that the document is not accepted.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1 further comprising: An electronic fee paymentmechanism adapted to charge the submitter of the document a fee for theacceptance of the filing of the document.
 5. The system of claim 1further comprising: a security mechanism including limiting the softwarefor imparting the electronic stamp to the electronic copy of thedocument being filed to running on the server only, without upload toany other compute engine, and limiting access to the server to at leastone authorized user uniquely identified to the server prior to use ofthe electronic stamp. An electronic means of authenticating the filer bymeans of electronic signature and a digital certificate that is issuedafter establishing the chain of trust and/or intelligent barcode thatuniquely identifies the identity of filer using an alphanumeric serialnumber or identity number for the filer that uniquely identifies thefiler. An electronic stamping apparatus that incorporates an electronicsignature and a digital certificate that is issued after establishingthe chain of trust and/or intelligent barcode that uniquely identifiesthe identity of filer using an alphanumeric serial number or identitynumber for the filer that uniquely identifies the accepting or denyingagent representing the responsible agency. A secure way for receivingentity to authenticate the sender and also verify that the uniqueidentifier stamped on document along with date and time and electronicsignature will allow visual verification of the original documentremotely to validate that the received document is a true copy of theoriginal document.
 6. A document filing system comprising: A userinterface display means connected to a server means in electroniccommunication with at least one remote compute engine having URLcapability, the server means being for receiving and displaying anelectronic copy of a document being submitted from a remote location forfiling with the user of the server; a electronic stamping means forimparting an electronic stamp on the submitted document responsive to auser input through the user interface means; an electronic means ofauthenticating the filer by means of electronic signature and a digitalcertificate that is issued after establishing the chain of trust and/orintelligent barcode that uniquely identifies the identity of filer usingan alphanumeric serial number or identity number for the filer thatuniquely identifies the filer. An electronic stamping that incorporatesan electronic signature and a digital certificate that is issued afterestablishing the chain of trust and/or intelligent barcode that uniquelyidentifies the identity of filer using an alphanumeric serial number oridentity number for the filer that uniquely identifies the accepting ordenying agent representing the responsible agency. A database means inelectronic communication with the server means and the user interfacemeans for storing the document after the electronic stamp is imparted tothe document; and an electronic communication means for transmitting anelectronic copy of the document having the electronic stamp imparted tothe electronic copy of the document to the submitter of the document forfiling.
 7. The system of claim 6 further comprising: The electronicstamp indicating that the document is accepted.
 8. The system of claim 6further comprising: The electronic stamp indicating that the document isnot accepted.
 9. The system of claim 6 further comprising: An electronicfee payment mechanism adapted to charge the submitter of the document afee for the acceptance of the filing of the document.
 10. The system ofclaim 6 further comprising: A security means including a means forlimiting the electronic stamp means for imparting the electronic stampto the electronic copy of the document being filed to running on theserver means only, without upload to any other compute engine, and forlimiting access to the server means to at least one authorized useruniquely identified to the server prior to use of the electronic stamp.11. A document filing method comprising the steps of: Using a userinterface display connected to a server in electronic communication withat least one remote compute engine having URL capability, the serverreceiving and displaying an electronic copy of a document beingsubmitted from a remote location for filing with the user of the server;electronically stamping the electronic copy of the document beingsubmitted for filing responsive to a user input through the userinterface; an electronic means of authenticating the filer by means ofelectronic signature and a digital certificate that is issued afterestablishing the chain of trust and/or intelligent barcode that uniquelyidentifies the identity of filer using an alphanumeric serial number oridentity number for the filer that uniquely identifies the filer; anelectronic stamping that incorporates an electronic signature and adigital certificate that is issued after establishing the chain of trustand/or intelligent barcode that uniquely identifies the identity offiler using an alphanumeric serial number or identity number for thefiler that uniquely identifies the accepting or denying agentrepresenting the responsible agency; storing in a database the documentafter the electronic stamp is imparted to the document; storing in adatabase the digital certificate that is issued after establishing thechain of trust and/or intelligent barcode that uniquely identifies theidentity of filer using an alphanumeric serial number or identity numberfor the filer and providing an electronic communication transmitting nelectronic copy of the document having the electronic stamp and digitalcertificate that is issued after establishing the chain of trust and/orintelligent barcode that uniquely identifies the identity of filer usingan alphanumeric serial number or identity number for the filer impartedto the electronic copy of the document to the submitter of the documentfor filing.
 12. The method claim 11 further comprising: The electronicstamp indicating that the document is accepted:
 13. The method of claim11 further comprising: The electronic stamp indicating that the documentis not accepted.
 14. The method of claim 11 further comprising: Thedigital certificate that is issued after establishing the chain of trustand/or intelligent barcode that uniquely identifies the identity offiler using an alphanumeric serial number or identity number for thefiler authenticating the filer.
 15. The method of claim 11 furthercomprising: The digital certificate that is issued after establishingthe chain of trust and/or intelligent barcode that uniquely identifiesthe identity of filer using an alphanumeric serial number or identitynumber for the filer authenticating uniquely the accepting or denyingagency representing the responsible agency.
 16. The method of claim 11further comprising: Using an electronic fee payment mechanism to chargethe submitter of the document a fee for the acceptance of the filing ofthe document.
 17. The method of claim 11 further comprising: Providing,as a security measure, that the electronic stamping step can only bedone utilizing software running on a secure server system with accessfor the purpose of such electronic stamping limited to at least oneauthorized user uniquely identified to the server prior to performingthe electronic stamping step.
 18. The method of claim 11 furthercomprising the steps of: Assuring authenticity of the electronic stampby storing the document in a form that prevents further modificationand/or storing the document with access limited to purposes other thanmaking any further changes to the image constituting the stored form ofthe document.
 19. The method of claim 11, further comprising the stepof: Transmitting an electronic copy of the document with the electronicstamp imparted to the document to the submitter of the document forfiling, which electronic copy is in a non-modified form.
 20. The systemof claim 1 wherein, the received electronic copy of the document is inone or more of multiple formats, including a spread sheet format, animage format, and a word processing format.
 21. The system of claim 1wherein, the received electronic copy of the document is in one or moreof multiple formats, including Excel, .pdf and word.
 22. The system ofclaim 6 wherein, the received electronic copy of the document is in oneor more of multiple formats, including a spread sheet format, an imageformat, and a word processing format.
 23. The system of claim 6 wherein,the received electronic copy of the document is: in one or more ofmultiple formats, including Excel, .pdf and word.
 24. The method ofclaim 11 wherein the received electronic copy of the document is in oneor more of multiple formats, including the spread sheet format, an imageformat, and a word processing format.
 25. The method of claim 11wherein, the received electronic copy of the document; is in one or moreof multiple formats, including Excel, .pdf, and word.
 26. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the electronic stamp includes the document envelope, thedata envelope and the content of the document.
 27. The system of claim 1wherein the electronic stamp displays the document envelop, the dataenvelope and the content of the document.
 28. The system of claim 6wherein the electronic stamp includes the document envelope, the dataenvelope and the content of the document.
 29. The system of the claim 6wherein the electronic stamp displays the document envelope, the dataenvelope and the content of the document.
 30. The method of claim 11wherein the electronic stamp includes the document envelope, the dataenvelope and the content of the document.
 31. The method of claim 11wherein the electronic stamp displays the document envelope, the dataenvelope and the content of the document.
 32. A document filing methodcomprising the steps of: Using a user interface display connected to aserver in electronic communication with at least one remote computeengine having URL capability, the server receiving and displaying anelectronic copy of a document being submitted from a remote location forfiling with the user of the server; electronically stamping theelectronic copy of the document being submitted for filing responsive toa user input through the user interface; an electronic means ofauthenticating the filer by means of electronic signature and/or adigital certificate that is issued after establishing the chain of trustand/or intelligent barcode that uniquely identifies the identity offiler using an alphanumeric serial number or identity number for thefiler that uniquely identifies the filer; an electronic stamping thatincorporates an electronic signature and/or a digital certificate thatuniquely identifies the accepting or denying agent representing theresponsible agency; storing in a database the document after theelectronic stamp is imparted to the document; storing in a database thedigital certificate that is issued after establishing the chain of trustand/or intelligent barcode that uniquely identifies the identity offiler using an alphanumeric serial number or identity number for thefiler; providing an electronic communication transmitting an electroniccopy of the document having the electronic stamp and digital certificatethat is issued after establishing the chain of trust and/or intelligentbarcode that uniquely identifies the identity of filer using analphanumeric serial number or identity number for the filer imparted tothe electronic copy of the document to the submitter of the document forfiling; and providing an intelligent barcode that will allowverification of the printed document by faxing the intelligent barcodealong with a barcode identifying the agency requesting such validationand a barcode providing the fax number of requesting agency where anofficial copy of the document can be automatically faxed back from theauthenticating agency.
 33. The method of claim 32 further comprising:The electronic stamp indicating that the document is accepted.
 34. Themethod of claim 32 further comprising: The electronic stamp indicatingthat the document is not accepted.
 35. The method of claim 32 furthercomprising: The digital certificate that is issued after establishingthe chain of trust and/or intelligent barcode that uniquely identifiesthe identity of filer using an alphanumeric serial number or identitynumber for the filer authenticating the filer.
 36. The method of claim32 further comprising: The digital certificate that is issued afterestablishing the chain of trust and/or intelligent barcode that uniquelyidentifies the identity of filer using an alphanumeric serial number oridentity number for the filer authenticating uniquely the accepting ofdenying agent representing the responsible agency.
 37. The method ofclaim 32 further comprising: Using an electronic fee payment mechanismto charge the submitter of the document a fee for the acceptance of thefiling of the document.
 38. The method of claim 32 further comprising:Providing, as a security measure, that the electronic stamping step canonly be done utilizing software running on a secure server system withaccess for the purpose of such electronic stamping limited to at leastone authorized user uniquely identified to the server prior toperforming the electronic stamping step.
 39. The method of claim 32further comprising the steps of: Assuring authenticity of the electronicstamp by storing the document in a form that prevents furthermodification and/or storing the document with access limited to purposesother than making any further changes to the image constituting thestored form of the document.
 40. The method of claim 32, furthercomprising the step of: Transmitting an electronic copy of the documentwith the electronic stamp imparted to the document to the submitter ofthe document for filing, which electronic copy is in a non-modifiableform.
 41. The system of claim 32 wherein, the received electronic copyof the document is in one or more of multiple formats, including aspread sheet format, an image format, and a word processing format. 42.The system of claim 32 wherein, the received electronic copy of thedocument is in one or more of multiple formats, including Excel, .pdfand word.
 43. The system of claim 32 wherein, the received electroniccopy of the document is in one or more of multiple formats, including aspread sheet format, an image format, and a word processing format. 44.The system of claim 32 wherein, the received electronic copy of thedocument is: in one or more of multiple formats, including Excel, .pdfand word.
 45. The method of claim 32 wherein, the received electroniccopy of the document is in one or more of multiple formats, includingthe spread sheet format, an image format, and a word processing format.46. The method of claim 32 wherein, the received electronic copy of thedocument is in one or more of multiple formats, including Excel, .pdf,and word.
 47. The system of claim 32 wherein the electronic stampincludes the document envelope, the data envelope and the content of thedocument.
 48. The system of claim 32 wherein the electronic stampdisplays the signature of the filer or the digital certificate that isissued after establishing the chain of trust and/or intelligent barcodethat uniquely identifies the identity of filer using an alphanumericserial number or identity number for the filer and the notary orattesting authority.
 49. The system of claim 32 wherein the electronicstamp displays the signature of the filer or the digital certificatethat is issued after establishing the chain of trust and/or intelligentbarcode that uniquely identifies the identity of filer using analphanumeric serial number or identity number for the filer and thenotary or attesting authority.
 50. The system of the claim 32 whereinthe digital certificate that is issued after establishing the chain oftrust and/or intelligent barcode that uniquely identifies the identityof filer using an alphanumeric serial number or identity number for thefiler authenticates the filer.
 51. The system of claim 32 wherein thedigital certificate that is issued after establishing the chain of trustand/or intelligent barcode that uniquely identifies the identity offiler using an alphanumeric serial number or identity number for thefiler authenticates the filer and similarly the notary or attestingauthority.
 52. The method of claim 32 wherein the digital certificatethat is issued after establishing the chain of trust and/or intelligentbarcode that uniquely identifies the identity of filer using analphanumeric serial number or identity number for the filerauthenticates the filers and similarly the notary or attesting authorityand any other agency official.
 53. The method of claim 32 wherein theelectronic stamp displays a barcode uniquely identifying the documentenvelope, the data envelope and the content of the document.
 54. Themethod of claim 32 wherein the electronic stamp displays a barcodeuniquely identifying the document envelope, the data envelope and thecontent of the document and the filer.
 55. The method of claim 32wherein the electronic stamp displays a barcode uniquely identifying thedocument envelope, the data envelope and the content of the document,the filer and the notary or attesting agent.
 56. The method of claim 32wherein the electronic stamp displays a barcode uniquely identifying thedocument envelope, the data envelope and the content of the document,the filer, the notary or attesting agent and any other agency official.57. The method of claim 32 wherein the electronic stamp displays abarcode uniquely identifying the document envelope, the data envelopeand the content of the document, the filer, the notary or attestingagent, any other agency official and a barcode uniquely identifying therequesting authority or agent.
 58. The method of claim 32 wherein theelectronic stamp displays a barcode uniquely identifying the documentenvelope, the data envelope and the content of the document, the filer,the notary or attesting agent, any other agency official, a barcodeuniquely identifying the requesting authority or agent and a barcodewhere the requesting authority or agent can receive the validateddocument.